HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0025861_Regional Office Historical File Pre 2018 r
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Programs
Pat McCrory Thomas A. Reeder John E. Skvarla, Ill
Governor Director Secretary
September 5, 2013
Mr. Al Greene, City Manager
City of Lowell
101 West First Street
Lowell,North Carolina 28098
Subject: Toxicity Test Results
City of Lowell WWTP
NPDES Permit No. NC0025861
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Greene:
Enclosed is a copy of the toxicity test results relative to the samples collected at the subject facility on July 23 and
25, 2013 by Ms. Donna Hood of this Office. Whole effluent samples were collected for use in a chronic
Ceriodaphnia dubia pass/fail toxicity test. The test passed utilizing these samples.
The report should be self-explanatory; however, should you have any questions concerning this report,please do not
hesitate to contact Ms. Carol Hollenkamp at(919) 743-8450 and/or Mr. Wes Bell at(704)235-2192, or at
carol.hollenkampca)ncdenr.gov and wes.bell(ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
147
` Michael L. Parker
Regional Supervisor
Surface Water Protection Section
Enclosure:
Toxicity Test Results
•
cc: Central Files
Susan Meadows, Aquatic Toxicity Unit
Gaston County Health Department
WB
Mooresville Regional Office One
Location:610 East Center Ave..Suite 301 Mooresville,NC 28115 North Carolina
Phone:: Fax:(704)663 60401 Customer Service:1-877-623-6748 ���t,�����
Internet:www.ncwaterquality.org K
An Equal Opportunity t Affirmative Action Employer—30%Recycled!10%Post Consumer paper
Mr. Al Greene
Page Two
September 5, 2013
Whole effluent samples were collected on July 23, 2013 and December 25,2013 by facility staff and
Donna Hood for use in a chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia pass/fail toxicity test. The City of Lowell WWTP has an
effluent discharge permitted at 0.6 MGD entering the South Fork Catawba River(7Q10 of 124 CFS). The test
using these samples resulted in a Pass. Toxicity test information follows:
Test Type 3-Brood Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic pass/fail
Test Concentration 0.74% sample
Test Result PASS
Control Survival 100%
Control Mean Reproduction 25.3 neonates
Test Treatment Survival 100%
Treatment Mean Reproduction 25.8 neonates
First Sample pH 7.12 SU
First Sample Conductivity 531 micromhos/cm
First Sample Total Residual Chlorine <0.10 mg/I
Second Sample pH 6.96 SU
Second Sample Conductivity 474 micromhos/cm
Second Sample Total Residual Chlorine <0.10 mg/1
Test run by Aquatic Toxicity Unit(ATU)had a control organism reproduction of 72%,which does not meet the
80%3rd brood control reproduction as required by NC protocol for compliance testing. Because the test organism
reproduction was greater than the control reproduction,all other test criteria were met, and the EPA requirement of
60% 3rd brood reproduction was met,the test is considered valid for the toxicity sampling event.
Division of Water Quality
August 20,2013
MEMQRAN N IM
To: Michael Parker
Surface Water Protection,MRO
Through: Cindy A.Moore V"
Supervisor,Aquatic Toxicology Unit
From: Carol Hollenkamp
Quality Assurance Officer,Aquatic Toxicology Unit
Subject: Whole effluent toxicity test results
Lowell WWTP
NPDES Permit#NC0025861/001
Gaston County
The aquatic toxicity test using flow proportional composite samples of effluent discharged from the Lowell
WWTP has been completed. Lowell WWTP has an effluent discharge permitted that is 0.6 million gallons per
day(MGD)entering the south fork of the Catawba River(7Q10 of 124.0 CFS). Whole effluent samples were
collected on July 23 and July 25 by Donna Hood and facility representative Timothy Barnes for use in a
chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia pass-fail toxicity test. The test passed for the purposes of the toxicity inspection.
Toxicity test information follows.
Test Type 3-Brood Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic pass fail
Test Concentrations 0.74%
Test Result Pass(For Toxicity Inspection)
Control Survival 100%
Control Mean Reproduction 25.3 neonates
Test Treatment Survival 100%
Treatment Mean Reproduction 25.8 neonates
First Sample pH 7.12 SU
First Sample Conductivity 531 micromhos/cm
First Sample Total Residual Chlorine <0.10 mg/L
Second Sample pH 6.96 SU
Second Sample Conductivity 474 micromhos/cm
Second Sample Total Residual Chlorine <0.10 mg/L
The test run by ATU had a control organism reproduction of 72%,which does not meet the 80%ri brood
control reproduction as required by NC protocol for compliance testing. However,this test is not used for
reporting compliance,but rather to complete the requirements of a toxicity inspection. Because the test
organism reproduction was greater than the control reproduction,all other test criteria were met,and the EPA
requirement of 60%3`d brood reproduction was met,the test is considered valid for the toxicity inspection.
Please contact us if you have any questions or if further effluent toxicity monitoring is desired. We may be
reached at(919)743-8401.
Basin: CTB36
cc: Central Files
Wes Bell (MRO)
Aquatic Toxicology Unit Environmental Sciences Section
W A 1 F Michael F.Easley,Governor
- Q✓ William G.Ross Jr.,Secretary
Vj T'r North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
,k Alan W.Klimek,P.E.Director
Division of Water Quality
EJCY .OF OM
October 26, 2006 AND fApl7A1 hESOU
VOC�,F� ..
CERTIFIED MAIL r '."l-OFFICE
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Ben T. Blackburn,Jr. OCT ' 7 200g
City Manager
City of Lowell
101 W First St.
Lowell,North Carolina 28098
IJr �
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Effluent Toxicity Testing
NPDES Permit No. NC0025861
Lowell WWTP
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Blackburn:
This is to inform you that a review of your toxicity self-monitoring report form for the month of August 2006
indicates a violation of the toxicity limitation specified in your NPDES Permit.
You should take whatever remedial actions are necessary to eliminate the conditions causing the effluent toxicity
violation(s). Your efforts may include conducting a Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE), a site-specific study designed
to identify the causative agents of effluent toxicity, isolate the sources of toxicity, evaluate the effectiveness of toxicity
control options, and confirm reductions in effluent toxicity. Please be aware that North Carolina General Statutes provide
for assessment of civil penalties for violations of NPDES permit limitations and requirements.
The reverse side of this Notice contains important information concerning your Whole Effluent Toxicity
Monitoring and Reporting Requirements. Please note appropriate mailing addresses for submitting your Discharge
Monitoring Reports (DMRs) and Aquatic Toxicity (AT) Test Forms. We encourage you to review this information; if it
would be helpful to discuss this situation or possible solutions to resolve effluent toxicity noncompliance, please contact
Mr. John Giorgino with this office at(919) 733-2136.
Sincerely,
ra:=')xk. "--
bw►i.
verton
Chief, Environmental Sciences Section
cc: ville Regional Office
John Lesley/Mooresville Regional Office
Aquatic Toxicology Unit
Central Files NOne
r hCarolina
,Naturally
• North Carolina Division of Water Quality 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh,NC 27699-1621 Phone(919)733-2136 Customer Service
Internet: www.esb.enr.state.nc.us 4401 Reedy Creek Rd. Raleigh,NC 27607 FAX (919)733-9959 1-877-623-6748
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer—50%Recycled/10%Post Consumer Paper
WHOLE EFFLUENT TOXICITY MONITORING AND REPORTING INFORMATION
> The following items are provided in an effort to assist you with identifying critical and sometimes overlooked toxicity testing and
reporting information. Please take time to review this information.The items below do not address or include all the toxicity testing
and reporting requirements contained in your NPDES permit. If you should have any questions about your toxicity testing
requirement,please contact Mr.Kevin Bowden with the Aquatic Toxicology Unit at(919)733-2136 or another Unit representative at the
same number.
> The permittee is responsible for ensuring that toxicity testing is conducted according to the permit requirement and that toxicity report
forms are appropriately filed.
➢ The reporting of whole effluent toxicity testing data is a dual requirement. All toxicity test results must be entered(with the appropriate
parameter code)on your monthly Discharge Monitoring Report which is submitted to:
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617
IN ADDITION
Toxicity test data(original"AT'form)must be submitted to the following address:
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Environmental Sciences Section
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1621
➢ Toxicity test results shall be filed with the Environmental Sciences Section no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting
period(eg,January test result is due by the end of February).
> Toxicity test condition language contained in your NPDES permit may require use of multiple concentration toxicity testing upon failure
of any single quarterly toxicity test. If the initial pass/fail test fails or if the chronic value is lower than the permit limit,then at least two
multiple concentration toxicity tests(one per month)will be conducted over the following two months. As many analyses as can be
completed will be accepted. If your NPDES permit does not require use of multiple concentration toxicity testing upon failure of any
single quarterly test, you may choose to conduct either single concentration toxicity testing or multiple concentration toxicity testing per
the Division's WET enforcement initiatives effective July 1, 1999. Follow-up multiple concentration toxicity testing will influence the
Division's enforcement response.
> Toxicity testing months are specified by the NPDES Permit,except for NPDES Permits which contain episodic toxicity monitoring
requirements(eg,if the testing months specified in your NPDES permit are March,June,September,and December,then toxicity testing
must be conducted during these months).
➢ If your NPDES Permit specifies episodic monitoring and your facility does not have a discharge from January 1-June 30,then you must
provide written notification to the Environmental Sciences Section by June 30 that a discharge did not occur during the first six months
of the calendar year.
> If you receive notification from your contract laboratory that a test was invalidated,you should immediately notify the Environmental
Sciences Section at(919)733-2136 and provide written documentation indicating why the test was invalidated and the date when
follow-up testing will occur.
> If your facility is required to conduct toxicity testing during a month in which no discharge occurs,you should complete the information
block located at the top of the AT form indicating the facility name,permit number,pipe number,county and the month/year of the
subject report. You should also write"No Flow"on the AT form,sign the forixe4s4.4bmit following noel procedures„ ,
> The Aquatic Toxicity Test forms shall be signed by the facility's Operator in Responsible Charge(ORC)except for facilities which have
not received a facility classification. In these cases,a duly authorized facility representative must sign the AT form. The AT form must
also be signed by the performing lab supervisor.
> To determine if your AT test forms were received on time by the Division of Water Quality,you may consider submitting your toxicity
test results certified mail,return receipt requested to the Environmental Sciences Section.
M r ( /
V
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
919 North Main Street Mooresville,North Carolina 28115
January 24, 2002
101i Sob boos 1(.3(0 04`f
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Gary D. Hicks
City of Lowell
101 W. First Street
Lowell,North Carolina 28098
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET)Testing
NPDES Permit No. NC0025861
City of Lowell WWTP
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Hicks:
This is to inform you that a review of your toxicity self-monitoring report form for the month of
November 2001 indicates a violation of the toxicity limitation specified in your NPDES Permit.
You should take whatever remedial actions are necessary to eliminate the conditions causing the
effluent toxicity violation(s). Your efforts may include conducting a Toxicity Reduction Evaluation
(TRE) which is a site-specific study designed to identify the causative agents of effluent toxicity, isolate
the sources of toxicity,evaluate the effectiveness of toxicity control options, and then confirm reductions
in effluent toxicity. Please be aware that North Carolina General Statutes provide for assessment of civil
penalties for violations of NPDES permit limitations and requirements.
The reverse side of this Notice contains important information concerning your Whole Effluent
Toxicity Monitoring and Reporting Requirements. Please note updated mailing addresses for submitting
your Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) and Aquatic Toxicity (AT) Test Forms. We encourage you
to review this information and if it would be helpful to discuss this situation or possible solutions to
resolve effluent toxicity noncompliance, please contact Mr. John Lesley with this office at (704) 663-
1699.
Sincerely,
D. Rex Gleason,P.E.
Regional Water Quality Supervisor
cc: Aquatic Toxicology Unit
Central Files
ra
WHOLE EFFLUENT TOXICITY MONITORING AND REPORTING INFORMATION
> The following items are provided in an effort to assist you with identifying critical and sometimes overlooked
toxicity testing and reporting information. Please take time to review this information.The items below do not
address or include all the toxicity testing and reporting requirements contained in your NPDES permit. If
you should have any questions about your toxicity testing requirement,please contact Mr. Kevin Bowden with
the Aquatic Toxicology Unit at(919)733-2136 or another Unit representative at the same number.
> The permittee is responsible for ensuring that toxicity testing is conducted according to the permit requirement
and that toxicity report forms are appropriately filed.
> The reporting of whole effluent toxicity testing data is a dual requirement. All toxicity test results must be
entered (with the appropriate parameter code) on your monthly Discharge Monitoring Report which is
submitted to:
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Central Files
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617
IN ADDITION
Toxicity test data(original"AT"form)must be submitted to the following address:
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Environmental Sciences Branch
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1621
> Toxicity test results shall be filed with the Environmental Sciences Branch no later than 30 days after the end
of the reporting period(eg,January test result is due by the end of February).
> Toxicity test condition language contained in your NPDES permit may require use of multiple concentration
toxicity testing upon failure of any single quarterly toxicity test. If the initial pass/fail test fails or if the chronic
value is lower than the permit limit,then at least two multiple concentration toxicity tests (one per month) will
be conducted over the following two months. As many analyses as can be completed will be accepted. If your
NPDES permit does not require use of multiple concentration toxicity testing upon failure of any single
quarterly test, you may choose to conduct either single concentration toxicity testing or multiple concentration
toxicity testing per the Division's WET enforcement initiatives effective July 1, 1999. Follow-up multiple
concentration toxicity testing will influence the Division's enforcement response.
> Toxicity testing months are specified by the NPDES Permit, except for NPDES Permits which contain episodic
toxicity monitoring requirements (eg, if the testing months specified in your NPDES permit are March, June,
September,and December,then toxicity testing must be conducted during these months).
> If your NPDES Permit specifies episodic monitoring and your facility does not have a discharge from January 1-
June 30, then you must provide written notification to the Environmental Sciences Branch by June 30 that a
discharge did not occur during the first six months of the calendar year.
> If you receive notification from your contract laboratory that a test was invalidated, you should immediately
notify the Environmental Sciences Branch at (919) 733-2136 and provide written documentation indicating why
the test was invalidated and the date when follow-up testing will occur.
> If your facility is required to conduct toxicity testing during a month in which no discharge occurs,you should
complete the information block located at the top of the AT form indicating the facility name, permit number,
pipe number, county and the month/year of the subject report. You should also write "No Flow" on the AT
form,sign the form and submit following normal procedures.
> The Aquatic Toxicity Test forms shall be signed by the facility's Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) except
for facilities which have not received a facility classification. In these cases, a duly authorized facility
representative must sign the AT form. The AT form must also be signed by the performing lab supervisor.
To determine if your AT test forms were received on time by the Division of Water Quality,you may consider
submitting your toxicity test results certified mail, return receipt requested to the Environmental Sciences
Branch.